What is the difference between a puff and an e-cigarette?
Discover the differences in usage, costs and impact between a puff and an e-cigarette!
Do not vape if you do not smoke | The sale of vaping products is prohibited to those under 18 years of age | Vaping helps you live without tobacco and without nicotine dependence
With the rise of vaping in France, more and more new vaping devices are emerging to meet the needs of all users. Over recent years, the puff has been attracting more and more smokers looking for a simple and effective solution to quit tobacco.
Even though the puff falls within the e-cigarette family (or CE for those in the know) and is designed with the same goal of reducing tobacco use, its usage, cost and impact are very different.
Let us look together at the key differences between these two products that are becoming increasingly popular among smokers, to help you make the best choice!
View all puffs View all e-cigarettes
What is a puff?
Before its ban in France, the puff was an entirely disposable e-cigarette, designed for simple and occasional use. It can now be found in rechargeable forms.
This pre-filled product contains liquid (often nicotine-based, or nicotine-free), an integrated battery and a coil. It delivers a limited number of puffs then is discarded. The most popular models are the:
- Puff 6K
- Puff 10K
- Puff 12K
- Puff 15K
- Puff 24K
- Puff 25K
- Puff 26K
- Puff 28K
- Puff 30K
- Puff 32K
- Puff 33K
- Puff 35K
- Puff 37K
- Puff 40K
- Puff 42K
- Puff 45K
- Puff 50K
- Puff 100K
It is so easy to use that very little explanation is needed to operate the device for the first time. It requires neither maintenance nor repair as it is simply discarded and replaced with a new one.
The disposable puff was initially designed to be sold in fast distribution outlets (such as tobacconists) where guidance, sales advice and customer feedback have no place. Sold in large quantities, it has been found in many hands for years.
It must be said that their simplicity has won over smokers with less technical confidence, or former vapers who were disappointed by a first purchase of a classic e-cigarette (too complicated, too much maintenance, too many problems) because they received poor advice, or smokers who simply wanted to try vaping at a low cost and without commitment.
Accessible to complete beginners, it is no less effective and powerful as a tool for quitting smoking!
Since the ban on disposable puffs at the start of 2025, it can be found in other rechargeable forms, which are much more similar to a classic e-cigarette. The purpose of this ban: to make this format more sustainable over time and to generate less waste.
Since then, the puff has not had its last say and now offers an increased number of puffs — and therefore greater durability — to last several days or weeks (rechargeable battery via USB-C, refillable e-liquid reservoir, long-lasting coil).
A few examples of our best puffs
The JNR ZPluse 42K Puff: 2 flavours in one puff
The JNR ZPluse 42K Puff offers a good battery life of 1200 mAh, 42,000 puffs with a colourful design. Its success is down to its unique dual fill system. The ZPluse has 2 x 10 ml tanks and comes with 2 different JNR e-liquids. Simply rotate the drip tip to change flavour.
Its little extra? Some flavours are now available in a nicotine-free version!
The Al Fakher Crown Bar Refill Pro Puff
With an impressive number of puffs, a rechargeable 1000 mAh battery, a 20 ml tank and a direct shisha-style inhalation, the Al Fakher Refill Pro puff is modern and highly efficient. It comes with 2 e-liquids at 6 mg/ml and is available in more than 30 fruity flavours.
View the Al Fakher Refill Pro Puffs
Looking for a rechargeable puff? Visit our catalogue!
And what about the classic e-cigarette?
Unlike puffs, the e-cigarette is fully rechargeable and long-lasting. It also consists of a tank, a coil, an e-liquid to be chosen according to your nicotine needs, and an often more powerful battery.
It does however require minimal maintenance such as a coil change approximately every three weeks and more or less regular battery recharging. On the vast majority of models, you will also need to choose a compatible e-liquid to suit your tastes and nicotine level (and an appropriate PG/VG ratio).
More expensive to purchase, the classic e-cigarette is however kinder to your wallet in the long run as it is far more durable than the puff.
This type of model exists in several formats:
• Pod e-cigarette: this small format is the one closest to the puff, particularly in the simplified operation it offers. The large pod family includes complex and fully customisable devices as well as models just as simple as puffs, with pre-filled e-liquid cartridges, nicotine or nicotine-free.
• Tube e-cigarette: it is the first form of e-cigarette to have appeared, and the latest e-cigarette and puff models are still inspired by it. The tube format is probably the simplest and most similar to a traditional cigarette. Most models require very little maintenance.
• Box mod e-cigarette: this model, often in a large format, is the choice of vapers seeking the best battery life and e-liquid capacity. Customisable, it generally offers advanced settings to suit experienced users.
A few examples of our best classic e-cigarettes
The Wenax M2 Kit by GeekVape
This pod-format kit stands out for its original look and intuitive use, perfect for all vaper levels.
The Wenax M2 features an increased battery life of 1200 mAh. It is compatible with integrated coil cartridges with a choice of a soft-touch plastic drip tip or a filter-style drip tip that has already won over many users.
The Soul 2 Kit by GeekVape
The Soul 2 Kit is a pod-format e-cigarette with large battery and e-liquid capacities. Its minimalist and elegant design has been crafted for an enjoyable everyday vape with the option to adjust — or not — the power up to 35 watts. It is fitted with the new Soul V2 cartridges designed for the occasion with an extended lifespan.
The CoolFire Z80 Zenith 2 Kit
With the Coolfire Z80 kit, Innokin offers a new generation of e-cigarette with a vaping experience more accessible to beginners. A sign of quality, this kit is powered by a removable 18650 battery and its power allows you to switch between MTL (tight) vaping and massive clouds.
Its clearomiser, the Zenith 2, delivers an incredible flavour experience with Innokin's Z Coils coils!
Looking for your next e-cigarette or pre-filled pods at a great price ? Discover our catalogue!
Puff vs. e-cigarette: which to choose?
|
Puff |
|
|---|---|
| Usage | Occasional |
| Recharge | ❌ No |
| Long-term cost | ❌ Higher |
| Environmental impact | ❌ Disposable |
| Liquid variety | Average |
| Performance | Low to moderate |
|
E-cigarette |
|
|---|---|
| Usage | Daily |
| Recharge | ✅ Yes |
| Long-term cost | ✅ More economical |
| Environmental impact | ✅ Reusable |
| Liquid variety | Very wide |
| Performance | Moderate to high |
User reviews:
-
Puffs are great for trying out vaping or as a top-up option for low liquid consumption, with no commitment required.
-
Rechargeable e-cigarettes are preferred by regular vapers or those quitting smoking for their durability and long-term cost.
In summary
The term "puff" refers to a disposable e-cigarette with limited use, while the e-cigarette is a rechargeable product, more customisable, cost-effective and suited to quitting tobacco. Each solution has its advantages depending on your profile: smokers, beginners or experienced vapers, based on your liquid consumption.
Before buying, remember to check:
-
the nicotine level,
-
authorised sale (especially for disposable products),
-
your needs in terms of battery, flavours, vapour and usage.
Find on our website a selection of puffs, pod kits and accessories for a safe vaping experience at the best price. Don't miss our selection to find a 100 ml e-liquid or a cheap Al Kimiya e-liquid and make great savings!
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About the author
CaroleAn SEO writer specialising in the vaping world for over 6 years, I lend my pen to Le Vapoteur Discount to inform, advise and support vapers on a [...]
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